12. The tribes of Israel sent men through the whole tribe of Benjamin. They said, "What about this awful crime that was committed among you?
13. Hand over those evil men of Gibeah. We'll put them to death. In that way we'll get rid of those evil people." But the people of Benjamin wouldn't listen to the other people of Israel.
14. They came together at Gibeah from their towns. They came to fight against the other people of Israel.
15. Right away the people of Benjamin gathered together 26,000 men from their towns. They were carrying swords. The men were added to the 700 who had been chosen from those who were living in Gibeah.
16. Among all of those men there were 700 who were left-handed. Each of them could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.
17. Israel gathered 400,000 men together. They were carrying swords. All of them were fighting men. That number didn't include the tribe of Benjamin.
18. The people of Israel went up to Bethel. There they spoke to God. They asked him, "Who will go up first and fight for us against the people of Benjamin?" The Lord answered, "The tribe of Judah will go first."
19. The next morning the people of Israel got up. They set up camp near Gibeah.